Trends

I spent some time last week reading about the latest trends in design. Not because I believe in trends, but because I’m curious to see what my favorite designers think it’s making a comeback this year. “Chintz is back”, “chintz is out”, “blue and white is over-done”, “white kitchens are passé”… everyone has, and is entitled to, an opinion. Personally, I am an anti-trends decorator. I love what I love, and what I find beautiful changes and is shaped with every home that I study. I don’t follow trends because I like to learn from the past by studying the works of legendary decorators and tastemakers. What was once old becomes fresh again, with a twist. For so many of us, classic will never be out of style. Trends are the opposite of all that.

Serena Crawford’s beautiful Cape Town kitchen

For example, I read somewhere that white kitchens are “out” in 2018. It’s quite a statement in my opinion and while I have no problem with people thinking white is “out”, I believe that real life doesn’t work that way. A timeless white kitchen will always retain its appeal. You can update it seasonally, or you can play up the textures, add color accents in the upholstery and window treatments, select new porcelain and dinnerware…the possibilities are endless. I guess what I’m trying to say is that for me, decorating with what I love will always be “in”. No matter what trends say.

The trouble with trends is that they box us in. They appeal to our follower instinct, when we should strive to be authentic, to be our own arbiters of beauty. In fact, for every designer claiming one trend is out, you’ll find two others claiming the exact opposite. Have you noticed that? And what should we do then?

— Either strive to be leaders or follow intelligently. That means taking everything with a grain of salt and reserve the right to say “no” to things that don’t feel right for us. So I say let’s get out there and enjoy decorating our homes. Let’s make them beautiful for ourselves and for our families, regardless of what’s trending. Through practice, we can develop confidence in asserting our own aesthetic. And, most importantly, we should never be afraid to ask for guidance. After all, that’s what good decorators do — offer guidance to their clients in making the best decisions for their home. And, since it’s safe to say that the blue and white “trend” is here to stay, here is a list of some beautiful blue and white finds! 🙂

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7 Comments

Diana Bier

February 13, 2018 / 8:22 pm

I couldn’t agree with you more, Eva! I like what I like, and though it may change slightly, it’s been fairly consistent for many years. I’ve always been a blue and white girl, and I love florals, white kitchens and good brown furniture. Don’t really care if they are in, out or somewhere in between. The only time trends affect me is when something is declared “out” it becomes more difficult to find. But that only adds to the allure and the challenge. Then finding what you love is doubly satisfying

I think if you purchase quality items that you love, you will always be happy with your home, no matter if it’s trendy or not!

I like to stick to a classic style that is timeless. Trends are tricky and can result in constant redecorating which seems so wasteful. I think of blue and white as timeless classics–so of course I love all of your picks!